Self-paced | Online | 4 CEH (OLCB)
Start here. This course builds the foundation every other plant ID skill depends on: how plants are named, the language used to describe them and the physical features that set one species apart from another.
By the end, you'll be ready to recognize the characteristics you need to distinguish the woody plants covered in the rest of the series. You'll learn to:
- Use binomial nomenclature (botanical names) to identify plants in the landscape
- Recognize the terminology used to describe plant species
- Apply your knowledge of plant morphology to tell woody plants apart
Click to learn more about Landscape Plant Identification I: Fundamentals.
Self-paced | Online | 4 CEH (OLCB)
Put your fundamentals to work on 72 spring flowering trees and shrubs common in the horticulture industry. You'll learn what sets each plant apart, as well as the traits they share that place them in their plant families.
Upon completion, you'll be able to:
- Identify 72 spring flowering trees and shrubs by their botanical traits and recognize their cultivars
- Understand how each plant is commonly used in landscapes
- Anticipate the culture needs, pests, diseases and other issues they may face
Click to learn more about Landscape Plant Identification II: Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs.
Self-paced | Online | 4 CEH (OLCB)
What makes a good street tree? What makes a good shade tree? This course answers both as you learn to identify 66 street and shade trees common in the horticulture industry. You'll see familiar genera, specific epithets and family names from earlier courses as your skills keep building.
Upon completion, you'll be able to:
- Identify 66 street and shade trees by their botanical traits and recognize their cultivars
- Understand how each tree is commonly used in landscapes
- Anticipate the culture needs, pests, diseases and other issues they may face
Click to learn more about Landscape Plant Identification III: Street and Shade Trees.
Self-paced | Online | 4 CEH (OLCB)
Round out your plant ID toolkit with the evergreens that give landscapes year-round structure. This course covers 72 conifers and companion broadleaf evergreens common in the horticulture industry, building on everything you've practiced in the first three courses.
Upon completion, you'll be able to:
- Identify 72 conifers and companion broadleaf evergreens by their botanical traits and recognize their cultivars
- Understand how each plant is commonly used in landscapes
- Anticipate the culture needs, pests, diseases and other issues they may face
Click to learn more about Landscape Plant Identification IV: Conifers and Companion Broadleaf Evergreens.
Meet your instructors
Dr. Ryan Contreras is a Professor of Horticulture at Oregon State University, where he has held a research and teaching appointment since 2009. An ornamental plant breeder, he teaches campus and Ecampus courses in landscape plant identification, horticultural crop growth and development and plant propagation.
Dan Blanchard is a Graduate Research Assistant at Oregon State University with expertise in plant identification, plant databases and the curation of living collections.
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Ready to start identifying?
Begin with Fundamentals and build your skills one course at a time, at your own pace.
Start with Fundamentals
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